SAN DIEGO — Strange, bubblegum-colored blobs have surfaced across various locations in San Diego, including Lake Miramar and Lake Murray, leaving residents puzzled.
Photos of these vivid formations have been flooding in from local viewers who are curious about their origins.
“When I first saw it, it looked like kids were going and taking their gum and sticking it on the side. I go, ‘Oh, that’s gross!’” commented one visitor to the lake.
These peculiar pink masses, which have drawn attention for their striking appearance, are actually egg masses laid by an invasive species known as the Channeled Apple Snail.
Photographer and hiker Scott Lagace has taken the initiative to document these intriguing blobs during his walks along the lakeside trails.
“They’re red, they’re along the lilies… little patches everywhere, and you can tell they’re eggs,” Lagace stated, emphasizing the widespread nature of the phenomenon.
“They’re everywhere; you can’t miss them,” he added, noting how the pink clusters are often found above the waterline or even clinging to trees near the lake’s edge.
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, each pink clutch can contain anywhere from 200 to 600 eggs.
The Channeled Apple Snail is notorious for its voracious appetite for aquatic vegetation and has also been identified as a threat to both rice crops and wetland ecosystems.
“This is the first year I’ve ever seen them on the lake,” a lake visitor said, observing that the invasive snails were not localized to just one area but seemed to be present around the entire perimeter of the lakes.
While the snails were first confirmed in Lake Murray back in 2015, they have since expanded their territory to include other water bodies like Lake Miramar and Lake Jennings.
The implications of their presence raise both environmental and health concerns.
Experts warn that the Channeled Apple Snails could carry Rat Lungworm, a parasite linked to a rare but serious form of meningitis in humans if ingested.
In response to these concerns, the City of San Diego has acknowledged the existence of the snails and their egg masses.
While city biologists have stated that these invasive creatures pose no immediate threat to drinking water quality, they are closely monitoring their population.
Currently, no removal efforts are in the works, as officials observe their spread across local lakes.
“This is alarming,” Lagace noted, emphasizing the widespread nature of the snails.
“I don’t know how they got there or when they got there, but they’re there now.”
Wildlife officials speculate that these invasive snails may have entered local lakes due to the improper disposal of aquarium contents, a practice that can have harmful effects on ecosystems.
To combat this issue, experts advise against releasing unwanted pets into waterways and recommend cleaning, draining, and drying any boats or equipment to prevent the spread of invasive species.
If you happen to come across what resembles pink bubblegum adhered to trees or reeds, it’s best to avoid touching it.
Instead, consider capturing a photo and reporting the sighting to wildlife authorities if necessary.
image source from：cbs8
